Lou Donaldson - Gravy Train (1961) (RVG)

Lou Donaldson - Gravy Train (1961)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 400MB

Blue Note | RVG 24-bit remaster 2007

Allmusic:
Gravy Train is a fine, if not quite exceptional record from Lou Donaldson's initial soul-jazz phase of the early '60s. Actually, given the title and the period in which it was recorded, the album isn't quite as greasy and funky overall as one might expect; most of the repertoire is devoted to pop ballads and mid-tempo standards, the latter of which tends to bring out more of the bop elements in Donaldson's playing. That's not true for the entire album, though; the title cut is a laid-back, conga-tinged, bluesy groover in the classic Donaldson mold, even if it's a bit workmanlike. Donaldson's longtime pianist, Herman Foster, is allotted quite a bit of solo space here, and he concentrates more on thick, rippling chords than single-note lines. For his part, Donaldson's playing is pleasant, and the rest of the supporting group maintains a steady groove throughout. All of Donaldson's sessions from this period (Here 'Tis, The Natural Soul, Good Gracious) have enough worthwhile moments for devoted fans, and that's true of Gravy Train as well, though casual fans probably won't find it necessary enough to track down.

Tracks
-1. "Gravy Train" - 8:14
-2. "South of the Border" (Michael Carr, Jimmy Kennedy) - 5:31
-3. "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" (Johnny Burke, James Van Heusen) - 4:59
-4. "Avalon" (Buddy DeSylva, Al Jolson, Vincent Rose) - 4:15
-5. "Candy" (Mack David, Alex Kramer, Joan Whitney) - 9:18
-6. "Twist Time" - 6:47
-7. "Glory of Love" (Billy Hill) - 4:04
-8. "Gravy Train" [alternate take] - 7:30 Bonus track on CD
-9. "Glory of Love" [alternate take] (Hill) - 3:49 Bonus track on CD
All compositions by Lou Donaldson except as indicated
Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ on April 27, 1961.

Personnel
* Lou Donaldson - alto saxophone
* Herman Foster - piano
* Ben Tucker - bass
* Dave Bailey - drums
* Alec Dorsey - congas (tracks 1, 2 & 4-9)

sample & buy: Gravy Train